MANILA — Search and rescue operations continued Friday for 84 people still missing after passenger vessel MV June Aster caught fire off Coron, Palawan.

As of September 11, authorities have confirmed 43 survivors and five fatalities following the Sept. 9 fire.

The number of missing was reduced from 86 to 84 after two people listed on the vessel’s manifest confirmed that they had not boarded the ship.

The manifest initially listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members, or 134 people in total.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted an aerial survey over the waters of Coron at around 10:16AM on September 11 as search operations continued in the area.

Some responders were also able to enter portions of the damaged vessel, although smoke and flames remained visible in some areas and firefighting operations continued.

MV June Aster caught fire while sailing in waters off Coron on the evening of Sept. 9.

After receiving the report, the PCG coordinated with Coast Guard units, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Coron Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the local government, and nearby vessels to conduct rescue operations.

PCG personnel from the Maritime Environmental Protection Unit and Coast Guard Special Operations Group were deployed to assist in the response.

BRP Suluan was also sent to the incident area to provide additional assistance.

Authorities continue to search the surrounding waters and coastal areas for the missing passengers and crew.

The official cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

The PCG earlier said an initial account from a surviving crew member indicated that the fire may have started in the vessel’s cargo hold before spreading to other parts of the ship. Authorities have not yet confirmed this as the official cause.

Search, rescue, and firefighting operations remain ongoing as authorities work to locate the 84 people still missing.